Science | Research

What is the sinus microbiome?

Our bodies have communities of microbes living within us and on us. We have more microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi) than human cells, and they are called the human microbiome or human microbiota.

In our sinuses, we also have communities of different types of microbes - the sinus microbiome. Sometimes, perhaps due to illnesses, allergies, or antibiotics, the microbial community becomes disrupted and imbalanced. This microbial community imbalance is called dysbiosis. In the sinuses, dysbiosis can cause a sinus infection, or sinusitis.

Studies using modern state of the art methods (such as genetic sequencing) have found that people with chronic sinusitis have a somewhat different sinus microbiome than healthy people without sinusitis. They have fewer of some bacterial species or “depletion”, and an increase or “abundance” of some other species. Researchers (Abreu et al., 2012) found that people with chronic sinusitis had less Lactobacillus sakei in their sinuses and more of other microbes.

What is Lactobacillus sakei?

Lactobacillus bacteria are generally viewed as beneficial bacteria and are thought to have various health benefits. Some Lactobacillus species are found in the microbial communities in and on our bodies. They are part of the lactic acid bacteria group. Lactobacillus sakei is one strain of Lactobacillus bacteria.

Studies have found Lactobacillus sakei in the human gut and sinuses. Researchers discovered Lactobacillus sakei in healthy humans (those without sinusitis), but diminished or absent in those with chronic sinusitis (Abreu et al., 2012). It is thought that Lactobacillus sakei may provide a protective effect by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. A recent study (Yamashiro et al., 2017) found that patients with ischemic strokes had decreased numbers of Lactobacillus sakei in the gut (as compared to healthy individuals who did not have a stroke).

Where else is Lactobacillus sakei found?

Studies report that Lactobacillus sakei is found throughout the world. Currently there are over 230 known strains of Lactobacillus sakei, which were collected from meat, seafood, and vegetables (Chaillou et al., 2013). It was originally isolated years ago from sake or rice wine - thus the name Lactobacillus sakei. Studies from Korea have found it during fermentation in most brands of Korean kimchi.

More information:

Lactobacillus sakei is considered antibacterial, bacteriostatic, and bactericidal against many species of bacteria (Zagorec & Champonmier-Verges, 2017). Antibacterial means destructive to or killing bacteria or suppressing their growth, bacteriostatic means that it prevents the growth and reproduction of bacteria, and bactericidal means it kills bacteria. The food industry has studied and used L. sakei (e.g. as a sausage culture starter) because of its value against pathogens such as Listeria.